Lee Westwood | The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/lee-westwood
Latest news and features from theguardian.com, the world's leading liberal voiceen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2017Thu, 14 Dec 2017 01:44:57 GMT2017-12-14T01:44:57Zen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2017The Guardianhttps://assets.guim.co.uk/images/guardian-logo-rss.c45beb1bafa34b347ac333af2e6fe23f.pnghttps://www.theguardian.com
Lee Westwood outshines Augusta pal as Danny Willett disappoints againhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/jul/22/lee-westwood-danny-willett-open-2017-royal-birkdale
• Westwood hits a 69 and was going well before a double bogey at the 12th<br />• Willett makes a three-over 73 after a run of dropped shots<p>Lee Westwood and Danny Willett will always be inextricably linked. They were playing partners <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/apr/11/danny-willett-masterrs-2016-jordan-spieth-lee-westood" title="">at the Masters in 2016 </a>when the field was seemingly competing for second place until Jordan Spieth took a quadruple-bogey seven at the short 12th and the older man looked at a scoreboard and said to his mate: “He’s just chucked a big one in there.”</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/jul/22/branden-grace-lowest-round-major-open-2017">Branden Grace shoots lowest-ever men’s major round of 62 at the Open</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/jul/22/lee-westwood-danny-willett-open-2017-royal-birkdale">Continue reading...</a>The Open 2017The OpenLee WestwoodDanny WillettGolfSportSat, 22 Jul 2017 18:28:21 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/jul/22/lee-westwood-danny-willett-open-2017-royal-birkdalePhotograph: Ross Kinnaird/R&A/R&A via Getty ImagesPhotograph: Ross Kinnaird/R&A/R&A via Getty ImagesMark Tallentire at Royal Birkdale2017-07-22T18:28:21ZMasters 2017: English golfers’ excellent showing deserves recognition | Ewan Murrayhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/apr/09/masters-2017-english-golfers
Eleven Englishman entered the Masters, one as defending champion, and three had hopes of winning after day three – but golf struggles for acclaim at home<p>It seems poetic that the popular song with swing as an opening word is the domain of those at Twickenham. International rugby players are among those to be afforded greater profile and status in England than golfers who continue to joust with the best in the world. Taking the latter for granted would be a grave error, as would not building on their relatively incredible&nbsp;success.</p><p>If the arrival of 11 English golfers at the Masters was notable enough – and it should have been – the fact that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/apr/08/justin-rose-scents-masters-glory-jordan-spieth-sergio-garcia" title="">Justin Rose</a>, Lee Westwood and Paul Casey began the final day with live hopes of claiming the first major of 2017 is deserving of heavy recognition. This is a tournament won in sensational fashion by a Yorkshireman 12 months ago. Nonetheless, step outside golf’s bubble and little or nothing is made of this.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2017/apr/09/the-masters-2017-fourth-round-live">The Masters 2017: fourth round - live!</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/apr/08/justin-rose-scents-masters-glory-jordan-spieth-sergio-garcia">Justin Rose scents Masters glory but Jordan Spieth eyes redemption</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/apr/09/masters-2017-english-golfers">Continue reading...</a>Masters 2017Lee WestwoodJustin RosePaul CaseyThe MastersEuropean TourUS sportsPGA TourGolfSportDanny WillettSun, 09 Apr 2017 16:40:34 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/apr/09/masters-2017-english-golfersPhotograph: Andrew Redington/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Andrew Redington/Getty ImagesEwan Murray at Augusta National2017-04-09T16:40:34ZLee Westwood: ‘You really don’t know how long you can go on for’https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/apr/03/lee-westwood-masters-augusta-national-danny-willett-
Two decades on from his Augusta debut, and a year after finishing second behind Danny Willett, the 43-year-old is ready for another tilt at the Masters<p>Lee Westwood’s love affair with Masters contention was a slow burner. In 1999, when reaching the Sunday turn holding the Augusta National lead, the Englishman was consumed by panic to the point of nausea. Having Tiger Woods for company perhaps did not help. “Take it away,” said Woods on the 10th tee; Westwood’s legs turned to jelly. He duly dropped four shots round Amen Corner, with the share of sixth hardly a disaster but disappointing in respect of earlier promise.</p><p>More pertinent in respect of Westwood now is the claiming of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/may/24/lee-westwood-doubted-game-second-masters" title="">second place</a> at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/apr/11/danny-willett-masterrs-2016-jordan-spieth-lee-westood" title="">the Masters of 2016</a>. Do not dare suggest to the 43-year-old that this was a missed opportunity after <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2017/apr/01/golf-masters-augusta-jordan-spieth-collapse" title="">the collapse of Jordan Spieth</a> or, indeed, that fear again set in when he and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/mar/31/danny-willett-masters-golf-augusta-interview" title="">Danny Willett found themselves</a> as key beneficiaries of the Texan’s tale of woe.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/apr/02/masters-2017-contenders-dustin-johnson">Masters 2017: Contenders and outsiders to watch, from Johnson to Luck</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2017/apr/01/golf-masters-augusta-jordan-spieth-collapse">Jordan Spieth out to banish demons of spectacular Masters collapse</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/apr/03/lee-westwood-masters-augusta-national-danny-willett-">Continue reading...</a>Lee WestwoodMasters 2017Tiger WoodsJordan SpiethDanny WillettThe MastersPGA TourGolfUS sportsSportMon, 03 Apr 2017 17:47:09 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/apr/03/lee-westwood-masters-augusta-national-danny-willett-Photograph: Ross Kinnaird/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Ross Kinnaird/Getty ImagesEwan Murray at Augusta2017-04-03T17:47:09ZJordan Spieth leads high-profile exodus from Houston Openhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/mar/31/jordan-spieth-shell-houston-open-golf
<p>• Two-times major winner hit a second-round 77<br>• Henrik Stenson, Adam Scott and Lee Westwood also miss cut in Texas<br></p><p>Jordan Spieth led a high-profile exodus from the Houston Open after 36 holes, the two-time major winner stumbling to a 77 on Friday in Texas. Spieth joined his fellow major champions Henrik Stenson and Adam Scott in missing the cut. Lee Westwood and Patrick Reed also failed to survive for the weekend.</p><p>The woes of Spieth proved the most surprising, only days before the Masters and on a course he has competed on in the past. He recorded only one birdie when falling the wrong side of the cut line, before denying it might be a blessing with a grim Houston weather forecast for the weekend. “We come into every tournament with the idea that we want to win that week and our focus is on that week,” Spieth said. “So it is a bit disappointing in that sense.”</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/mar/31/danny-willett-masters-golf-augusta-interview">Danny Willett: ‘There have been massive highs but some pretty low lows’</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/mar/31/jordan-spieth-shell-houston-open-golf">Continue reading...</a>Jordan SpiethLee WestwoodHenrik StensonAdam ScottGolfSportUS sportsFri, 31 Mar 2017 19:41:01 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/mar/31/jordan-spieth-shell-houston-open-golfPhotograph: Richard Heathcote/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Richard Heathcote/Getty ImagesEwan Murray in Houston2017-03-31T19:41:01ZTiger Woods’ toils go on but magical Masters moment of 1997 still resonates | Richard Williamshttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2017/mar/24/tiger-woods-masters-1997-richard-williams
Watching Tiger Woods now is a struggle but the 20th anniversary of his first Augusta triumph stirs memories of a first-day tee shot that signalled his greatness<p>The morning at Augusta National had been spent following Lee Westwood, an early starter in the first round of the 1997 Masters. At 23, the Englishman was making his Masters debut. Just to remind him of where he was, his drive off the first tee flew into an enormous sand trap, setting up a double bogey.</p><p>Four hours later, as a chastened Westwood was signing for a five‑over‑par 77, news was coming in from the front nine about a worse catastrophe that appeared to be about to engulf an even younger player. Making his much anticipated professional bow in a major tournament, the 21‑year‑old Eldrick “Tiger” Woods had taken 40 strokes to complete the first half of his opening round, his imminent humiliation forcing its way to the top of the day’s agenda.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/mar/20/tiger-woods-racial-slurs-1997-masters-my-story">Tiger Woods opens up on racial slurs that drove his desire for dominance | Ewan Murray</a> </p><p>As Faldo helped him into a size 42R green jacket, he was putting on the cloak of global superstardom</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/mar/23/rory-mcilory-match-play-championship-gary-woodland-bubba-watson">Rory McIlroy out of Match Play Championship without playing a shot</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2017/mar/24/tiger-woods-masters-1997-richard-williams">Continue reading...</a>GolfTiger WoodsLee WestwoodThe MastersUS sportsSportFri, 24 Mar 2017 14:45:36 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2017/mar/24/tiger-woods-masters-1997-richard-williamsPhotograph: Stephen, Munday/AllsportPhotograph: Stephen, Munday/AllsportRichard Williams2017-03-24T14:45:36ZRory McIlroy battles food poisoning to stay in Mexico contentionhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/mar/03/rory-mcilroy-golf-mexico-food-poisoning-rib-lee-westwood-ross-fisher
<p>• Northern Irishman shoots 68 despite feeling ‘weak’<br>• Ross Fisher and Lee Westwood lead the way in Mexico WGC</p><p>The medical bulletin issued by Rory McIlroy was not as anticipated. Whereas understandable interest surrounded the state of the 27-year-old’s rib cage after a seven-week break caused by a fracture, McIlroy stepped from the course in Mexico City to cite another battle altogether – food poisoning. His complexion told a story even before words were spoken.</p><p>McIlroy’s opening round of 68, three under par, at the first WGC of the year is therefore even more worthy of credit than would have already been the case after a fitness-imposed absence. The Northern Irishman said he had been awake since 3am on Thursday. “I was worshipping the porcelain bowl,” was the more detailed explanation of hotel bathroom events.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/feb/28/rory-mcilroy-us-president-donald-trump-golf">Rory McIlroy: I talked golf not politics during round with Donald Trump</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/mar/03/rory-mcilroy-golf-mexico-food-poisoning-rib-lee-westwood-ross-fisher">Continue reading...</a>Rory McIlroyLee WestwoodGolfSportUS sportsFri, 03 Mar 2017 00:04:38 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/mar/03/rory-mcilroy-golf-mexico-food-poisoning-rib-lee-westwood-ross-fisherPhotograph: Orlando Jorge Ramirez/USA Today SportsPhotograph: Orlando Jorge Ramirez/USA Today SportsEwan Murray in Mexico City2017-03-03T00:04:38ZHenrik Stenson homes in on desert slam at Abu Dhabi HSBC Championshiphttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/jan/19/abu-dhabi-hsbc-championship-henrik-stenson-golf
• Open champion hits eight-under-par 64 to take first-round lead in Abu Dhabi<br />• ‘It must be the lack of sleep and lack of practice that does it,’ said 40-year-old<p>Henrik Stenson has such fondness for the United Arab Emirates he once called it home. Now the Open champion has set his sights on closing out what would be a unique European Tour haul.</p><p>No player has claimed what could be classed as the desert slam; victory in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, Dubai Desert Classic, Qatar Masters and DP&nbsp;World Tour Championship. Stenson has three of that group to his name and the Swede’s first-round lead in Abu Dhabi on Thursday offered proof he has the form to complete the quartet on Sunday.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2017/jan/18/rory-mcilroy-rib-injury-masters">Rory McIlroy’s rib injury – is it really as big a deal as everyone seems to think? | Ewan Murray</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/jan/19/abu-dhabi-hsbc-championship-henrik-stenson-golf">Continue reading...</a>Henrik StensonMartin KaymerLee WestwoodGolfSportThu, 19 Jan 2017 14:38:21 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/jan/19/abu-dhabi-hsbc-championship-henrik-stenson-golfPhotograph: Ross Kinnaird/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Ross Kinnaird/Getty ImagesEwan Murray in Abu Dhabi2017-01-19T14:38:21ZVictor Dubuisson hits form in Dubai as Rory McIlroy has ‘one of those days’https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/nov/19/victor-dubuisson-dubai-rory-mcilroy
• Frenchman leads DP World Tour Championship with 18 holes to play<br />• Defending champion McIlroy falls out of contention after a 68 on day three<p>Tales of Victor Dubuisson’s demise may be greatly exaggerated. This maverick Frenchman, a Ryder Cup player only two years ago, has rather disappeared from mainstream view in the meantime. He also had two major top 10s in 2014; in the seven he has played since, Dubuisson has missed five cuts.</p><p>The 26-year-old served notice that he remains a force to be reckoned with in Dubai, courtesy of a 64 at the DP World Tour Championship. Dubuisson, who has slipped to 93rd in the world, holds a one-shot lead over Tyrrell Hatton, Matthew Fitzpatrick and another renaissance man, Nicolas Colsaerts, with 18 holes to play. Colsaerts and Fitzpatrick arrived in contention courtesy of 66s, with Hatton faring one shot worse.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/nov/18/lee-westwood-dubai-world-tour-championship-sergio-garcia">Lee Westwood hopes camera slip does not cost him Dubai glory</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/nov/15/rory-mcilroy-too-proud-stubborn-putting-problem">Rory McIlroy admits he was ‘too proud and too stubborn’ over putting problem</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/nov/19/victor-dubuisson-dubai-rory-mcilroy">Continue reading...</a>GolfRory McIlroyLee WestwoodSportSat, 19 Nov 2016 15:19:15 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/nov/19/victor-dubuisson-dubai-rory-mcilroyPhotograph: Karim Sahib/AFP/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Karim Sahib/AFP/Getty ImagesEwan Murray in Dubai2016-11-19T15:19:15ZLee Westwood hopes camera slip does not cost him Dubai gloryhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/nov/18/lee-westwood-dubai-world-tour-championship-sergio-garcia
• English player falls to one shot off the lead at World Tour Championship<br />• Francesco Molinari and Sergio García in front; Rory McIlroy eight shots behind<p>Should <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/nov/17/rory-mcilroy-lee-westwood-dp-world-tour-championship" title="">Lee Westwood’s bid to claim the DP World Tour Championship</a> fall short by a stroke, there is no doubt about where the Englishman’s analysis will focus.</p><p>When playing a relatively simple shot from the fairway of the 18th hole during round two, Westwood was tied for the lead. Cue the interventions of an errant camera shutter, which proved sufficient to distract the 43-year-old during his backswing. Westwood duly found a water hazard, made a bogey six and trails the halfway leaders by one.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/nov/18/james-nitties-nabs-australian-open-lead-after-two-rounds-at-royal-sydney">James Nitties nabs Australian Open lead after two rounds at Royal Sydney</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/nov/18/lee-westwood-dubai-world-tour-championship-sergio-garcia">Continue reading...</a>GolfLee WestwoodSergio GarcíaHenrik StensonRory McIlroySportFri, 18 Nov 2016 16:29:32 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/nov/18/lee-westwood-dubai-world-tour-championship-sergio-garciaPhotograph: Karim Sahib/AFP/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Karim Sahib/AFP/Getty ImagesEwan Murray in Dubai2016-11-18T16:29:32ZRory McIlroy sinks while Lee Westwood soars at DP World Tour Championshiphttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/nov/17/rory-mcilroy-lee-westwood-dp-world-tour-championship
• McIlroy shoots opening-round 75; Westwood’s 66 tops leaderboard<br />• Westwood hits out at Chris Wood over choice of World Cup partner<p>The law of life, death, taxes and Rory McIlroy at the Earth course is no more. His consistency at the Dubai venue is such he held a scoring average of 68 and had never carded over par until Thursday, when a 75 raised eyebrows. This was not supposed to happen.</p><p>There is an explanation for the 27-year-old’s start to the DP World Tour Championship. McIlroy, by his own admission, needed snookers to retain his European Tour order of merit title and there may have been a problem with mental focus.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/nov/15/rory-mcilroy-too-proud-stubborn-putting-problem">Rory McIlroy admits he was ‘too proud and too stubborn’ over putting problem</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/nov/17/rory-mcilroy-lee-westwood-dp-world-tour-championship">Continue reading...</a>GolfRory McIlroyLee WestwoodSportThu, 17 Nov 2016 17:11:34 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/nov/17/rory-mcilroy-lee-westwood-dp-world-tour-championshipPhotograph: Francois Nel/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Francois Nel/Getty ImagesEwan Murray in Dubai2016-11-17T17:11:34ZEuropean Tour’s doors may remain open to no-show Patrick Reedhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/nov/03/european-golf-tour-patrick-reed-turkish-airlines-open-george-coetzee
• Texan’s failure to play in Turkey affects appearance record<br />• South Africa’s George Coetzee leads way at seven-under<p>Europe’s tormentor in chief may well be afforded special salvation from the same continent. Patrick Reed’s leading role in the USA’s Ryder Cup success at Hazeltine has apparently enhanced the desire of Keith Pelley, the European Tour’s chief executive, to keep the 26-year-old as part of his business equation.</p><p>Reed’s late withdrawal from the Turkish Airlines Open means that unless the Texan makes a similarly belated call to play in the Nedbank Challenge at Sun City next week, he will not feature in the requisite five European Tour events to be eligible for 2017 membership. Ordinarily players must sit out for a year before reapplying. The fact this tournament in Turkey is taking place, plus two of Reed’s counting competitions were the Olympics and Ryder Cup, would hardly seem to boost his case for special treatment.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/oct/02/rory-mcilroy-patrick-reed-heavyweight-hazeltine-ryder-cup">Patrick Reed and Rory McIlroy deliver exquisite theatre in heavyweight clash</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/nov/03/european-golf-tour-patrick-reed-turkish-airlines-open-george-coetzee">Continue reading...</a>GolfDanny WillettLee WestwoodEuropean TourSportThu, 03 Nov 2016 17:17:13 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/nov/03/european-golf-tour-patrick-reed-turkish-airlines-open-george-coetzeePhotograph: Peter Byrne/PAPhotograph: Peter Byrne/PAEwan Murray in Belek2016-11-03T17:17:13ZAlex Noren holds off Bernd Wiesberger to win British Masters titlehttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/oct/16/alex-noren-british-masters-bernd-wiesberger
• Swede continues fine run with third title in eight tournaments<br />• Lee Westwood finishes third after closing round of 67<p>Sweden’s Alex Noren held his nerve to claim a remarkable third European Tour title in his past eight events at the British Masters on Sunday.</p><p>Noren recorded a final round of 69 at The Grove to finish 18 under par and two ahead of Austria’s Bernd Wiesberger, with Lee Westwood a shot further back in third.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/oct/12/lee-westwood-ryder-cup-captain-2020-whistling-straits">Lee Westwood is still aiming to be Europe’s Ryder Cup captain in 2020</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/oct/16/alex-noren-british-masters-bernd-wiesberger">Continue reading...</a>GolfSportLee WestwoodSun, 16 Oct 2016 16:32:27 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/oct/16/alex-noren-british-masters-bernd-wiesbergerPhotograph: Andrew Redington/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Andrew Redington/Getty ImagesPress Association2016-10-16T16:32:27ZLee Westwood is still aiming to be Europe’s Ryder Cup captain in 2020https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/oct/12/lee-westwood-ryder-cup-captain-2020-whistling-straits
• Former world No1 to seek vice-captain role in Paris 2018 as stepping stone<br />• Englishman says playing in 10 Ryder Cups makes him well qualified<p>Lee Westwood has reiterated his desire to captain Europe’s Ryder Cup team in 2020, with a stint as vice-captain in Paris in 2018 a likely stepping stone.</p><p>He has not given up hope of playing against the United States for an 11th time, equalling the record of his first Ryder Cup partner Nick Faldo. The Englishman, 43, also still needs 2½ points to overtake Faldo as Europe’s all‑time record points scorer in the biennial contest after failing to win any of his three matches in the defeat at Hazeltine a fortnight ago.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/oct/02/usa-win-ryder-cup-rory-mcilroy-europe">Ryder Cup 2016: USA sweep to victory as Rory McIlroy and Europe taste defeat</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/oct/03/europe-ryder-cup-defeat-darren-clarke">Darren Clarke urges Europe to resist alarm over Ryder Cup defeat</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/oct/12/lee-westwood-ryder-cup-captain-2020-whistling-straits">Continue reading...</a>Lee WestwoodDarren ClarkeRyder CupGolfUS sportsSportWed, 12 Oct 2016 18:47:34 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/oct/12/lee-westwood-ryder-cup-captain-2020-whistling-straitsPhotograph: Sam Greenwood/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Sam Greenwood/Getty ImagesPress Association2016-10-12T18:47:34ZRory McIlroy leads fight to keep Europe’s Ryder Cup hopes alivehttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/oct/01/rory-mcilroy-europe-ryder-cup-thomas-pieters-usa
<p>• McIlroy and Thomas Pieters the sole fourball success for Europe<br>• Team-mates must match them for chance of unlikely comeback</p><p>If Rory McIlroy’s significance to Europe was obvious in advance of this Ryder Cup, few could have envisaged his rising status as battle fever gripped Hazeltine. McIlroy might be the most unlikely of pantomime villains given his routine popularity both on and off the course but that is precisely his role as cast by the galleries here.</p><p>The key point that cannot be ignored is thus: Darren Clarke, Europe’s captain, desperately needs other players to summon both the spirit and style of McIlroy when taking to the course on Sunday. The USA hold a lead of 9½ to 6½ pre-singles which, while not insurmountable, looks strong enough to provide the platform from which to reclaim the Ryder Cup. It would prove one of the great, comedy American collapses should they toss this one away.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/oct/02/ryder-cup-singles-pairings">Rory McIlroy v Patrick Reed to lead off Ryder Cup singles</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2016/oct/01/ryder-cup-empty-heads-lager-atmosphere-fans-behaviour">Ryder Cup: Moronic screams for a&nbsp;player to miss a putt have no place in golf | Ewan Murray</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2016/oct/01/ryder-cup-2016-usa-lead-5-3-going-into-day-two-foursomes-live">Ryder Cup 2016: USA lead Europe 9½-6½ after day two fourballs – as it happened</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/oct/01/rory-mcilroy-europe-ryder-cup-thomas-pieters-usa">Continue reading...</a>Ryder CupRory McIlroyLee WestwoodGolfSportUS sportsSun, 02 Oct 2016 07:21:12 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/oct/01/rory-mcilroy-europe-ryder-cup-thomas-pieters-usaPhotograph: Jim Watson/AFP/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Jim Watson/AFP/Getty ImagesEwan Murray at Hazeltine2016-10-02T07:21:12ZDanny Willett and old warhorse Lee Westwood wilt under Ryder pressurehttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/oct/01/danny-willett-lee-westwood-ryder-cup-jb-holmes-ryan-moore
Masters champion and the Ryder Cup veteran slip to surrender a key point on final two holes to JB Holmes and Ryan Moore<p>Whatever degree of momentum the Americans had enjoyed after Friday morning’s dramatic foursomes sweep had long been exhausted when Lee Westwood and Danny Willett teed off Saturday’s fourball match against JB Holmes and Ryan Moore beneath a cloudless sky and baking Minnesota sun.</p><p>But after Westwood agonisingly missed a three-foot gimme on the 18th that cost Europe a half-point, it appears the visitors will again be in need of a miracle if they hope to retain the Ryder Cup they have held since Celtic Manor in 2010.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/oct/01/rory-mcilroy-europe-ryder-cup-thomas-pieters-usa">Rory McIlroy leads the fight to keep Europe’s Ryder Cup hopes alive</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2016/oct/01/ryder-cup-2016-usa-lead-5-3-going-into-day-two-foursomes-live">Ryder Cup 2016: USA lead Europe 9½-6½ after day two fourballs – as it happened</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/oct/01/danny-willett-lee-westwood-ryder-cup-jb-holmes-ryan-moore">Continue reading...</a>Ryder CupDanny WillettLee WestwoodUS sportsGolfSportSat, 01 Oct 2016 23:53:14 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/oct/01/danny-willett-lee-westwood-ryder-cup-jb-holmes-ryan-moorePhotograph: Mike Ehrmann/PGA of America via Getty ImagesPhotograph: Mike Ehrmann/PGA of America via Getty ImagesBryan Armen Graham at Hazeltine2016-10-01T23:53:14ZLee Westwood ramps up Ryder Cup pressure with Davis Love III ripostehttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/sep/23/lee-westwood-davis-love-iii-ryder-cup-tour-championship
• European stalwart responds to US captain’s inspiring words<br />• American Dustin Johnson leads the way in Tour Championship<p>No sooner had Davis Love III issued his strongest Ryder Cup war cry yet than Lee Westwood endorsed his status as Europe’s agent provocateur. If the event matches the preamble, there may be a need to stand back from the Hazeltine fireworks.</p><p>Love, the United States captain, took to an American radio station on Friday to speak effusively about the players under his command. “We don’t have to do anything superhuman. We’re a great golf team,” Love said. “This is the best golf team, maybe, ever assembled.”</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/sep/22/bubba-watson-influence-ryder-cup-wildcard-davis-love">Bubba Watson says Ryder Cup wild-card pick is out of his hands</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/sep/23/lee-westwood-davis-love-iii-ryder-cup-tour-championship">Continue reading...</a>GolfRyder CupLee WestwoodDavis Love IIIPGA TourSportFri, 23 Sep 2016 23:02:54 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/sep/23/lee-westwood-davis-love-iii-ryder-cup-tour-championshipPhotograph: Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesEwan Murray at East Lake2016-09-23T23:02:54ZRyder Cup 2016: Tiger Woods may have adverse influence, claims Westwoodhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/sep/21/ryder-cup-2016-tiger-woods-lee-westwood
• Westwood: ‘He could have an adverse effect in the USA team room’<br />• Ryder Cup veteran also queries ‘non-selection’ of Bubba Watson<p>The first blow of the phoney war which always precedes a Ryder Cup has been landed by Lee Westwood, who has pointed towards the potentially “adverse” influence of Tiger Woods as a vice-captain of the USA.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/sep/21/paul-casey-fedex-cup-finale-european-tour-ryder-cup">Paul Casey’s FedEx finale may spring change in Europe’s qualification rules</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2016/sep/21/ryder-cup-donald-trump-brexit-usa-europe">Trump and Brexit add yet more spice to Ryder Cup’s theatres of cultural war | Marina Hyde</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/sep/21/ryder-cup-2016-tiger-woods-lee-westwood">Continue reading...</a>Ryder CupLee WestwoodTiger WoodsGolfUS sportsSportWed, 21 Sep 2016 16:49:53 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/sep/21/ryder-cup-2016-tiger-woods-lee-westwoodPhotograph: Andrew Redington/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Andrew Redington/Getty ImagesEwan Murray at East Lake2016-09-21T16:49:53ZAlex Noren beats Scott Hend in play-off to claim a second European Mastershttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/sep/04/alex-noren-scott-hend-second-european-masters-leed-westwood
• Noren believes he is playing the best golf of his career<br />• Lee Westwood shoots a final-round 63 to claim fourth place<p>Sweden’s Alex Noren believes he is playing the best golf of his career after defeating Scott Hend in a play-off to win the European Masters for the second time.</p><p>Noren birdied the first extra hole from 25 feet at Crans-sur-Sierre to claim his second European Tour title of the season and sixth of his career after he and Hend, the overnight leader, had finished tied on 17-under par.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2016/aug/31/darren-clarke-ryder-cup-captains-picks-thomas-pieters">Darren Clarke’s Ryder Cup picks were logical, so why so much hysteria? | Ewan Murray</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/sep/04/alex-noren-scott-hend-second-european-masters-leed-westwood">Continue reading...</a>GolfRyder CupLee WestwoodSportSun, 04 Sep 2016 18:48:20 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/sep/04/alex-noren-scott-hend-second-european-masters-leed-westwoodPhotograph: Ross Kinnaird/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Ross Kinnaird/Getty ImagesPress Association2016-09-04T18:48:20ZDarren Clarke backs his Ryder Cup wild cards and rookieshttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/aug/30/ryder-cup-darren-clarke-rookies-prosper
Bullish captain believes his personal picks – Lee Westwood, Thomas Pieters and Martin Kaymer – on top of the automatic qualifiers can thrive in the Ryder Cup<p>If bookmakers are to be believed, the evolution of Europe’s Ryder Cup team will come at an immediate cost. With a month to go until Darren Clarke oversees the defence of the trophy at Hazeltine the USA are heavily odds-on to win.</p><p>The hosts’ price shortened further on Tuesday as confirmation of Clarke’s full team arrived. With Thomas Pieters afforded his most high-profile chance to shine, six from 12 of the European contingent will be making Ryder Cup debuts. That represents the highest rookie contingent for an away match since 1999, when <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2012/oct/01/from-the-vault-europe-capitulated-brookline-1999-ryder-cup">the US triumphed with much leaping around and gnashing of teeth at Brookline</a>. The home side is unlikely to feature more than two debutants and, in Brooks Koepka, may have only one.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/aug/30/thomas-pieters-impresses-tiger-woods-darren-clarke-europe-ryder-cup">Thomas Pieters impresses me as much as Tiger Woods did, says Darren Clarke</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/aug/30/ryder-cup-darren-clarke-wildcards">Ryder Cup 2016: Westwood, Kaymer and Pieters selected as wildcard picks</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/aug/30/ryder-cup-darren-clarke-rookies-prosper">Continue reading...</a>Ryder CupDarren ClarkeGolfUS sportsLee WestwoodSportTue, 30 Aug 2016 21:31:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/aug/30/ryder-cup-darren-clarke-rookies-prosperPhotograph: Andrew Redington/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Andrew Redington/Getty ImagesEwan Murray2016-08-30T21:31:00ZDarren Clarke has to decide how many Ryder Cup rookies are too many | Ewan Murrayhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2016/aug/27/darren-clarke-europe-ryder-cup-rookies-wildcard
Europe captain has five debutants in his team and that is likely to be good news for Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer when he chooses his three wildcards<p>As Darren Clarke uses this weekend to ponder his wildcard picks for the European team, with the announcement to be made at Wentworth on Tuesday, the nuances of Ryder Cup captaincy will play a part in his thinking.</p><p>Clarke has one opportunity to enhance his status by presiding over a successful European tilt. For all the Northern Irishman and others in his position, past or future, can speak of legacy, how they are portrayed – be it lauded or dismissed as outright disaster – revolves around three intense days.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2016/aug/27/darren-clarke-europe-ryder-cup-rookies-wildcard">Continue reading...</a>Ryder CupMartin KaymerDarren ClarkeLee WestwoodUS sportsGolfSportSat, 27 Aug 2016 12:00:02 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2016/aug/27/darren-clarke-europe-ryder-cup-rookies-wildcardPhotograph: Andrew Redington/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Andrew Redington/Getty ImagesEwan Murray2016-08-27T12:00:02Z